Nonverbal Communication

It's well known that good
communication is the foundation of any successful relationship, be it
personal or professional. It's important to recognize, though, that it's
our nonverbal communication—our facial expressions, gestures, eye
contact, posture, and tone of voice—that speak the loudest. The ability
to understand and use nonverbal communication, or body language, is a
powerful tool that can help you connect with others, express what you
really mean, and build better relationships.

What is nonverbal communication and body language?

When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive wordless signals. All of our
nonverbal behaviors—the gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how
close we stand, how much eye contact we make—send strong messages. These messages don't stop
when you stop speaking either. Even when you're silent, you're still communicating nonverbally.Oftentimes, what comes out of our mouths and what we communicate through our body language are
two totally different things. When faced with these mixed signals, the listener has to choose
whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message, and, in most cases, they're going to choose
the nonverbal because it's a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts our true feelings
and intentions in any given moment.

Why nonverbal communication matters

The way you listen, look, move, and react tells the other person whether or not you care, if
you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal signals match
up with the words you’re saying, they increase trust, clarity, and rapport. When they
don’t, they generate tension, mistrust, and confusion. Read more...